My mother inhaled sharply beside me.
I remained still.
Patricia gave a dismissive little laugh.
“She was never really suited to our family. But sometimes losing the wrong person makes room for the right one.”
Then she gestured toward Sienna.
“And I’m delighted to announce that I’ll soon become a grandmother!”
The room filled with applause.
I watched Derek kiss Sienna’s cheek.
He looked pleased.
Relieved.
Almost triumphant.
For a moment, I wondered whether he had ever felt genuine affection for me.
Had all those tender conversations been calculated?
Had he planned to discard me from the beginning?
I would probably never know the answer.
Then the ballroom doors opened.
Two young women in pale pink dresses hurried inside.
My closest friends.
Lily and Grace.
They had been my chosen bridesmaids.
They had expected to collect me that morning, but when they arrived at my apartment, they found the damaged door and a police officer securing the hallway.
